2003LimitedBanshee

Good news folks, spacer production is just about back up and running! Sredish, I should have a little more time later this evening to address your questions, but should be able to answer them completely. Thanks for the continued interest everyone, I hope I can help a lot of you with this budget friendly conversion; we can all stand to save a buck these days!

I haven't been around for quite some time, that is definitely fair! However, after a long hiatus I'm back around the HQ! Unfortunately I lost my connection for the production of my spacers (at the time) and was highly involved in my training. But, I am back and I am working on getting production back up and going on the spacers for the conversion. I haven't read around to see if someone has started making these in my absence, but I still feel my design is one of the best for this conversion to date, at least it was at one time. So, within in the next couple of weeks I should be able to report that I've got spacers ready for the conversion. I see from my PM's that many people are still very interested in this kit. So, keep checking back and I should have some good news, SOON! Thanks everyone!

No, absolutely, more power to anyone. I should have more, very, very soon; but I'm content with knowing that I came up with a design worth copying, at the very least.

Hmmm.... These look pretty familiar???

The YFZ arms add right about 4.5" total width, approx 2.25 per side; they're also about 1" forward. You can certainly use the banshee spindles, no problem. Thanks! - Brian

The spacer/sleeves sell for $50 shipped via Priority Mail. I would also recommend upgrading to the NOSS tie rods, which are usually also $50 shipped, but I can combine shipping so it is $95 shipped for both the spacer/sleeves and tie rods. All the parts are made of hardened alloy, super beefy and they look pretty good too! I can definitely get you setup. Thanks! - Brian jrod - Yes, your tie rods went out on Tuesday, thanks!

Jeeper, Still working on getting some time to get you numbers... sorry for the delay. I am doing a demo of the front end next weekend, so I will have it out soon. Unfortunately I have not been able to ride yet this year! Everyone else, parts for the conversion and a couple kits on the shelf ready to go! Thanks! - Brian

Some parts! And as it happens I can help you out!!! You scored a smoking deal on that front end by the way! The stock tie rods will usually work (every frame is minutely different), but usually leave little to no room for adjustment. Not only because I sell them, but I would recommend the spacer/sleeves I made up for the conversion and the NOSS tie rods. You can get all of this from me. Spacer/sleeves sell for $50 shipped and I can add NOSS tie rods for another $45, no extra shipping cost. Everything is sent via Priority Mail, so you get it real fast! I can give you several very happy people who are running my parts on their 450 front ends. Thanks! - Brian

Good question! I actually haven't ever calculated the numbers, but could estimate them with a bit of time. I'm actually out of town for a car show, but I could look at it next week. At first guess I would speculate camber is going to be in the -3* range and caster will be at about 1.5* or so. But, i do not have a front end rack to truly calculate it, but I can get close with the tools I have. Thanks for the interest! - Brian

To make a long story short, you trim the front of the front a-arm mount and the rear of the rear a-arm mount. The trick is in the measurement of the modification. In order for it to work, you have to be very specific in how much you cut off of each arm to allow it to fit, but not so much that you create slop. That's why I created a jig that mounts to my metal saw; it allows me to slide the arm in and cut to the exact measurement each time. There is also a modification performed to the lower bushing and install the spacer/sleeves. Hopefully that gives you a decent picture without an overload of info. - Brian

Actually total width change is almost 4.5", just short of 2.25" per side. Thanks!

I don't know that I could go quite as far as saying it is a poorman's fix, but it is definitely an economy fix. The reality I presented myself with was that I ride about 8-10 times a year at the dunes and the adjustability of the yfz shocks and the added width of the arms, plus the decreased cost of the swap made it the right decision for me. The YFZ shocks will work fine, yes the front sits lower than stock by about .5"-1.0", but at the dunes this isn't much of an issue. The suspension is much more forgiving over the whoops and much more adjustable than the stock banshee shocks. Plus, the swap actually widens the front a total of nearly 4.5", just short of 2.25" per side. Not sure if this is what you meant, but just to clarify. I know a little about the 450 front ends if you have any questions. Thanks!

I would definitely think so... But, since I could be viewed as having a vested interest in the issue, I'll leave the debating to others. To keep it short, you should notice a definite improvement. Is it the same as a $1200 suspension, probably not, but it is a vast improvement over the stock front end. I've supplied many BHQ members with complete 450 front end kits and pieces to complete the conversion, so if you decide to, let me know and I can set you up with everything you should need. Thanks! - Brian

Hey guys, I am still making 450m kits for the Banshee. Working on restocking my spacers as of right now, but I do have several sets of A-arms ready to go out. I would also recommend upgrading to the NOSS tie rods, which I can supply you with also. Thanks for the interest and let me know what I can do for you. Gumby6t9, I see that you did PM me back in February and after re-reading you message, I am pretty certain that I did reply, but my apologies if I some how neglected to. Again, let me know if I can be of help. Thanks peter!

Hey guys, Yes time is a bit difficult to come by, but I am trying to keep up as best as possible. I do offer complete conversions that are ready to bolt on. Shocks have been harder to come by lately, but I currently have two kits in stock that include upper and lower a-arms, my exclusive spacer/sleeves made for this conversion and the option to upgrade to NOSS tie rods (highly recommended!). Complete kits, less shocks, are going for $335 shipped via UPS ground to the lower 48. That price includes the NOSS tie rods I mentioned above, a $40 option. As far as a Premium membership is concerned, I see the link above my posting right now, so I will definitely check it out. I haven't sold a great number of complete kits, 6-8 so far I think, more parts for the conversion, which have a pretty small margin. But, as I recall the Premium membership is pretty cheap. True, without the HQ, I would have been lucky to sell one. :beer: Thanks for all the interest guys! - Brian

ttt... Kits, spacers, tie rods, anything you may need to make your 450 swap complete. Plus, now offering the full-line of NOSS products! Thanks! - Brian

I've got a set of stock reed blocks, with Boyesen Power Reeds with less than 20 hours on them. If you want them, I'll ship them to you for $25. Let me know...

It seems this thread has gone another direction, but I thought I would point this out. Compression certainly DOES increase power. True, bigger gains can be had through improved and additional air/fuel flow. But to say that compression does not add power is completely incorrect.

The only way to tell for sure what octane gas you are going to need is to do a compression check after making the swap. I live at 2000' and with 20cc domes I kick over 170 psi in each cylinder. So, needless to say, when I go to the dunes (at sea level), the only type of riding I do, I run race fuel due to the added compression (over 190 psi) and 4* timing advance. Bottom line, we can ball park it based on your elevation, but you really need to check it yourself, on YOUR bike to tell for sure. By the way, probably a lot of people know this, but assuming this is still the same, the heads retailed by Jeff (GREAT guy) are manufactured by David Noss (SUPER GREAT guy).

I almost forgot, I am still offering the modification service for anyone that has 450 arms they have purchased but would like to save the hassle, measuring and worry by sending them to me to be modified. Just a quick reminder, for $125 I will modify your lower arms using my jigs, modify the bushings, install my spacers and cover ground shipping back to you! You ARE responsible for the shipping of the lowers out to me, and the core parts of course, but that's it. Also, I can pair this service with a set of NOSS tie rods for just a bit more; this service/kit sells for $160, everything is the same! So, if you don't have the tools, the time or just don't want to mess with it, let me set you up and getting you riding on your conversion. Thanks! - Brian

Bansheeman1988, It doesn't really look like you've come to an absolute decision on your A-arms yet... I've created the 450 A-arm kit that many users here on the HQ have purchased from me and used with a great deal of satisfaction. I've created several proprietary parts that make the conversion easy and quick! The kit would come to you completely bolt on and guaranteed to fit on any Banshee (providing you have a straight frame). You can also opt for upgraded NOSS machine tie rods made from hardened alloy. Let me know if you are interested, I have several kits sitting on the shelf ready to rock! Thanks! - Brian

Alright everyone, I am back from my fire academy and ready to start turning out kits for all that are interested again!!! First my apologies, my internet access was much more restrictive than I anticipated; meaning I was unable to access any of my PM's or the internet in general for that matter! At any rate, I AM BACK at my shop, I have to kits sitting on the shelf with what looks to be a promising core parts deal in the works, so that I can keep them coming and ready to go out to you! It's the new year, time to get your suspension up to date; let me be the one to help you out! Ask around, I'm sure you will find that past customers have been highly satisfied with all of my products and the workmanship that I put into these kits. Thanks! - Brian

You're awesome Zach! Thanks! ~ Brian

Not a problem Zach, however, I would like to make sure that people know, which you pointed out, that the arms did not come to you in their current condition. Not to knock the condition they are in now, I just don't want anyone who is interested to think that is what they should expect in a kit from me. AGAIN, nothing knocking your arms and their condition, just a clarification. Hopefully that doesn't ruffle any feathers. Thanks! ~ Brian